Frameless window screen tensioning device



Nov. 9, 1954 w. P. MGCUBBIN FRAMELESS WINDOW SCREEN TENSIONING DEVICE INVENTOR ATTORN EYS wmznccabbi Nov. 9, 1954 w. P. M CUBBIN FRAMELESS WINDOW SCREEN TENSIONING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Jan. 24, 1950 INVENTOR wm. P. M cCubbz'n ATTORN EYS United States Paterit' D .EFRA'NIELESS :SCREEN TENSIONIN G DEVICE .WilliamEP. McCubbimSanta Monica, Galif. Continuation of application Serial fNo. j140,331,LJanuary "24, 1950. iThisapplication 'Junef30, 19,52, ZSeiiialiNo. 296,321

.6 Claims. .(Cl. .160-328) This application-is a continuation of application filed January 24, 1950, Serial No. 140,331.

:It is an "object of this invention ;to provide ,arno-vel :hold-down rand tensioning device .;for frameless iwindow screens; an especial advantage of the device being easy and convenient snap-engagement or release by hand.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tensioning device, for the purpose described, whichwhen engagedplaces the screen under tension from a point, below the same, which is close to the vertical plane of said screen, as is desirable.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tensioning device which includes a handle affixed to the bottom bar of the screen in a readily accessible position; a portion of said handle releasably cooperating with a catch member of a bracket secured to the window case, and the screen being under tension when said parts are so engaged.

An additional object is to provide a tensioning device which is simple in design, economical to manufacture, and easy to install; the device being adaptable for use on screens applied to various types of windows, including casement and double-hung windows.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a tensioning device which is adjustable to attain maximum tension on the screen.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a practical and reliable frameless window screen tensioning device, and one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects are accomplished by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation, foreshortened, of the lower portion of a window mounted frameless screen tensioned by devices embodying the present invention; the view being taken from the inside of the window, and one of the devices being partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation, foreshortened, on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, with the illustrated tensioning device in engaged position.

Fig. 3 is a similar view, but shows the tensioning device as released.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, detached, of the catch plate and bracket unit which the tensioning device includes.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan showing the specific form of handle employed.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the invention is here illustrated in connection with a frameless window screen assembly which includes a rectangular sheet of wire cloth or screen 1, which overlies a window opening 2 defined by a window case which includes a header 3, a sill 4, and jambs 5.

At the top and bottom thereof the screen 1 is fitted with a transverse top bar and a transverse bottom bar, indicated at 6 and 7 respectively; the screen being attached to said bar by folding the end portions of such screen into channels formed on said bars, as shown at 8, and into which channels the folded screen portions are clamped. The transverse top bar 6 is attached to the header 3 by suitable suspension brackets 6a.

Additionally, the transverse bottom bar 7 has a vertically adjustable weather strip 9 associated therewith.

In the present embodiment the screen 1 is held down and under tension by a pair of the tensioning devices,

J 2,693,851 fatented Nov.

. a *2 teach 10f which :isdndicated generally-at 10,:said edevices rengaging :between the related end portions 10f yt-he trans- .tversethottomibar-7 {and the adjacentjambr5.

.As ;the.ztensioning. devices ,10 are of :identical construc- -.-tion; and tfunctiongexcept gfor being right and .Ieft'hand, -a tdescr,iption,of one will :suffice for both.

,Each .tensioning device 10 comprises a ihorizontally elongated, U-shaped handle 11 fixed,..as by-rriveting-rfias at -.l2qto.ran rend ;p,ort-ionv of :the transverse zbottom bar 7 onttheinnerfacerthereofyi. ,e.=with':,the ;,U -shape d;handle.;-11 projecting inwardly-with :respect to ithe window rcasezor .away' from the window.

JEach-handlellj-includes .,a,laterally outer end leg vr13 which normally extends :tov the :bottom :bar asubstan- :tially .horizontal position close to, ;but clear.;of, the adjacent janib.5.v

A catch plate and-.bracketmnit :14 -is- .a flixed :tOrSaid adjacent,,jamb-;5;.-and comprises the .following:

A'fiat bracket plate 15 abuts flush against the jamb 5, being secured thereto by a screw 16 which extends through a vertically elongated slot 17 in said plate 15 adjacent its upper end. The lower end of the bracket plate 15 preferably terminates short of the top of the sill 4, and a foot 18 extends laterally inwardly from said lower end of the bracket plate; there being a screw 19 extending through a screw hole 20 in the foot 18 and thence screws into the sill 4. It will be recognized that by loosening the screw 16 and working the screw 19, the flat bracket plate 15 may be vertically adjusted.

On its outer edge and adjacent the top thereof the bracket plate 15 is formed with a vertical, laterally projecting catch plate 21 having its lower edge 22 in the path of in or out motion of the end leg 13 of handle 11; such end leg being formed, on top and at its end immediately adjacent the transverse bottom bar 7, with an .upwardly opening, transverse notch 23 which is thus parallel to the catch plate 21.

The catch plate and bracket unit 14 is adjusted so that when the handle 11 is grasped from inside the window and pulled inwardlystarting at an initially slightly downward and rearward incline-the end leg 13 of said handle forcefully rides under the engagement with its lower edge 22; such motion being continued until said lower edge 22 of the catch plate 21 snaps into the transverse notch 23. (See Fig. 2). When this occurs the screen 1 is under heavy tension, with the tension being applied from below and at a point which is close to the vertical plane of said screen. This effectively holds the tension on the screen and maintains the latter drawn inwardly against the window case.

To release each tension device requires only the slight manual depression of the handle 11, followed by outward pushing thereon, so that the catch plate 21 escapes the notch 23 and permits said handle to move outwardly. (See Fig. 3).

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

1. A tensioning device for a frameless window screen having a substantially rigid bottom bar adapted to abut at its ends against the sides of a window frame, said device, for each side of the screen, comprising an element fixed to said bottom bar and projecting therefrom at substantially right angles thereto, at a point adjacent one end of the bar, a relatively flat catch plate mounted on the adjacent side of the window frame and projecting perpendicularly edgewise into the window opening; the element on the bar being frictionally drawable under the lower edge of such catch plate and into catching engagement therewith to place and releasably hold the screen under tension over the window frame.

2. A tensioning device for a frameless window screen having a substantially rigid bottom bar adapted to abut catch plate 21 in 'at'its ends against the sides of a window frame, said device, for each side of the screen, comprising a handle member secured to such bottom bar adjacent said end thereof and projecting inwardly from said bar at substantially right angles thereto, and a relatively flat catch plate rigidly secured to the adjacent side of the window frame and normally projecting perpendicularly edgewise into the window opening in spaced relation with respect to the window frame sill, the handle being drawable under the bottom edge of the catch plate in frictional engagement therewith to place the screen under tension over the window frame.

3. A combination as in claim 2 including catch means on the handle engageable with the catch plate to maintain the handle and catch plate in engagement with each other.

4. A combination as in claim 2 in which each handle member is substantially U-shaped with the free ends of the legs thereof being secured to the bar, one leg of each handle member being frictionally engageable with the under edge of one of the catch plates when the 20 handles are drawn under the latter.

5. A combination as in claim 4 in which the leg that engages under the edge of the catch plate is provided with a upwardly opening notch, the catch plate being engageable with said notch.

6. A tensioning device for a frameless window screen having a transverse bottom bar adapted to extend across a window case, an element secured to and projecting inwardly from the bottom bar adjacent one jamb of the window case, a bracket secured to said jamb, and a downwardly facing catch projecting laterally inwardly from the bracket for forceful engagement of said element thereunder; the bracket including a plate having a vertically elongated slot, a screw extending through the slot into the jamb, a foot on the lower end of the bracket plate spaced above the sill of the window case, and a screw extending through the foot into the sill.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,120,333 Pinkham Dec. 8, 1914 2,146,251 Dominick Feb. 7, 1939 

